BRUSSELS, June 18 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Wednesday welcomed the announcement of a truce between Israel and Hamas.

    "I welcome the news of the agreement between Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian factions brokered by Egypt on a mutual ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy.

    "I appreciate Egypt's efforts to facilitate this agreement because the people of Gaza and southern Israel have suffered too long," she added.

    Ferrero-Waldner said she was looking forward to Thursday morning when the ceasefire is to take effect.

    She expressed hope "it will lead to a lasting peace so that the Gaza crossings can be reopened for the regular flow of both humanitarian and commercial goods."

    The commissioner said the EU "has indicated that it is ready to consider resuming its border assistance mission at Rafah as soon as conditions allow."

    "Complete cessation of hostilities will no doubt create an environment which is more supportive of the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority," she said.

    "The EU remains committed to supporting a political agreement by the end of 2008."

    Senior Islamic Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar announced on Tuesday that a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians would come into effect at 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday.

    Egypt has been mediating truce talks between Israel and Gaza militant groups led by the Islamic Hamas movement.

    Under the agreement, Israel will ease its blockade and halt operations to stop homemade rocket attacks from Gaza on its territory. It will also reopen all border crossing points that were closed down after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June last year.